BorgBlog: Ahmadinejad

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Ahmadinejad

I take no pleasure in the demonizing of this idiot. This is how we started the journey that led us into Iraq. Ahmadinejad's statements can't be ignored and deserve to be scorned, but my antennae are up, watching an administration that has successfully manipulated us before.

26 Comments:

at 9/25/07, 4:58 PM

Anonymous said...

"i want to wipe israel off the map" = "i want to wipe israel off the map"

borgman, there is no "manipulation" to be done.

however, if you want to accuse this administration of "manipulation", i suggest you accuse the clinton administration of "manipulation" as well

"Earlier today, I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. They are joined by British forces. Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors.

Their purpose is to protect the national interest of the United States, and indeed the interests of people throughout the Middle East and around the world.

Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons." - President B.J. Clinton, 9/16/98

and if that's not enough, i'll provide you with 10 more pages of quotes from members of clinton's cabinet saying the exact same thing. i realize reality is a hard pill for you liberals to swallow, but for the sake of this country, attempt to do it at least once in your lifetime, yeah?

at 9/25/07, 5:29 PM

Anonymous said...

Amazing - BJ? Clinton got us into this mess?? 5 years before W declared. My friend, I suspect you have a serious drug imbalance.

I'd certainly like to hear more applicable quotes from credible sources - that don't include you!

at 9/25/07, 7:14 PM

Anonymous said...

if we weren't living in hell before bush put us in iraq, we are now!
how about the near plane crash in dayton today (Delta) due to a tire the blew out on the runway in Atlanta (Cincy passengers aboard, oh no! (does that make it real? important?)

at 9/25/07, 7:25 PM

Anonymous said...

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/09/25/ddn092507airplane.html

http://www.daytondailynews.com/p/content/gen/sharedoh/photos_galleries/news/local/092407airplaneweb.html

are the engines immune (because they're designed in Cincinnati, not made here, of course)

at 9/25/07, 7:43 PM

Anonymous said...

say, where are those weapons of mass destruction, have we LOST our focus, again???

at 9/25/07, 8:51 PM

Anonymous said...

you asked for them. you get them.

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." -- From a letter signed by Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara A. Milulski, Tom Daschle, & John Kerry among others on October 9, 1998

"This December will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to refine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer- range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." -- From a December 6, 2001 letter signed by Bob Graham, Joe Lieberman, Harold Ford, & Tom Lantos among others

"Whereas Iraq has consistently breached its cease-fire agreement between Iraq and the United States, entered into on March 3, 1991, by failing to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program, and refusing to permit monitoring and verification by United Nations inspections; Whereas Iraq has developed weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological capabilities, and has made positive progress toward developing nuclear weapons capabilities" -- From a joint resolution submitted by Tom Harkin and Arlen Specter on July 18, 2002

"Saddam's goal ... is to achieve the lifting of U.N. sanctions while retaining and enhancing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. We cannot, we must not and we will not let him succeed." -- Madeline Albright, 1998

"(Saddam) will rebuild his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and some day, some way, I am certain he will use that arsenal again, as he has 10 times since 1983" -- National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, Feb 18, 1998

"Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement." -- Barbara Boxer, November 8, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retained some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capability. Intelligence reports also indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons, but has not yet achieved nuclear capability." -- Robert Byrd, October 2002

"There's no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat... Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He's had those for a long time. But the United States right now is on a very much different defensive posture than we were before September 11th of 2001... He is, as far as we know, actively pursuing nuclear capabilities, though he doesn't have nuclear warheads yet. If he were to acquire nuclear weapons, I think our friends in the region would face greatly increased risks as would we." -- Wesley Clark on September 26, 2002

"What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs." -- Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002

"The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow." -- Bill Clinton in 1998

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security." -- Hillary Clinton, October 10, 2002

"I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons...I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out." -- Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003

"Iraq is not the only nation in the world to possess weapons of mass destruction, but it is the only nation with a leader who has used them against his own people." -- Tom Daschle in 1998

"Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal." -- John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

"The debate over Iraq is not about politics. It is about national security. It should be clear that our national security requires Congress to send a clear message to Iraq and the world: America is united in its determination to eliminate forever the threat of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction." -- John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

"I share the administration's goals in dealing with Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction." -- Dick Gephardt in September of 2002

"Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to completely deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." -- Al Gore, 2002

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." -- Bob Graham, December 2002

"Saddam Hussein is not the only deranged dictator who is willing to deprive his people in order to acquire weapons of mass destruction." -- Jim Jeffords, October 8, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -- Ted Kennedy, September 27, 2002

"There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein's regime is a serious danger, that he is a tyrant, and that his pursuit of lethal weapons of mass destruction cannot be tolerated. He must be disarmed." -- Ted Kennedy, Sept 27, 2002

"I will be voting to give the president of the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." -- John F. Kerry, Oct 2002

"The threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but as I said, it is not new. It has been with us since the end of that war, and particularly in the last 4 years we know after Operation Desert Fox failed to force him to reaccept them, that he has continued to build those weapons. He has had a free hand for 4 years to reconstitute these weapons, allowing the world, during the interval, to lose the focus we had on weapons of mass destruction and the issue of proliferation." -- John Kerry, October 9, 2002

"(W)e need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime. We all know the litany of his offenses. He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation. ...And now he is miscalculating America?s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction. That is why the world, through the United Nations Security Council, has spoken with one voice, demanding that Iraq disclose its weapons programs and disarm. So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but it is not new. It has been with us since the end of the Persian Gulf War." -- John Kerry, Jan 23, 2003

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandates of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them." -- Carl Levin, Sept 19, 2002

"Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the United States." -- Joe Lieberman, August, 2002

"Over the years, Iraq has worked to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. During 1991 - 1994, despite Iraq's denials, U.N. inspectors discovered and dismantled a large network of nuclear facilities that Iraq was using to develop nuclear weapons. Various reports indicate that Iraq is still actively pursuing nuclear weapons capability. There is no reason to think otherwise. Beyond nuclear weapons, Iraq has actively pursued biological and chemical weapons.U.N. inspectors have said that Iraq's claims about biological weapons is neither credible nor verifiable. In 1986, Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran, and later, against its own Kurdish population. While weapons inspections have been successful in the past, there have been no inspections since the end of 1998. There can be no doubt that Iraq has continued to pursue its goal of obtaining weapons of mass destruction." -- Patty Murray, October 9, 2002

"As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." -- Nancy Pelosi, December 16, 1998

"Even today, Iraq is not nearly disarmed. Based on highly credible intelligence, UNSCOM [the U.N. weapons inspectors] suspects that Iraq still has biological agents like anthrax, botulinum toxin, and clostridium perfringens in sufficient quantity to fill several dozen bombs and ballistic missile warheads, as well as the means to continue manufacturing these deadly agents. Iraq probably retains several tons of the highly toxic VX substance, as well as sarin nerve gas and mustard gas. This agent is stored in artillery shells, bombs, and ballistic missile warheads. And Iraq retains significant dual-use industrial infrastructure that can be used to rapidly reconstitute large-scale chemical weapons production." -- Ex-Un Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter in 1998

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years. And that may happen sooner if he can obtain access to enriched uranium from foreign sources -- something that is not that difficult in the current world. We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Saddam?s existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose a very real threat to America, now. Saddam has used chemical weapons before, both against Iraq?s enemies and against his own people. He is working to develop delivery systems like missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that could bring these deadly weapons against U.S. forces and U.S. facilities in the Middle East." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Administration?s policy towards Iraq, I don?t think there can be any question about Saddam?s conduct. He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do. He lies and cheats; he snubs the mandate and authority of international weapons inspectors; and he games the system to keep buying time against enforcement of the just and legitimate demands of the United Nations, the Security Council, the United States and our allies. Those are simply the facts." -- Henry Waxman, Oct 10, 2002

yes yes. bush lied, people died, right?

.:shakes head:.

at 9/25/07, 9:10 PM

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much - I'm convinced.

at 9/25/07, 9:50 PM

Anonymous said...

you're welcome.

don't you heart liberal hypocrisy!

at 9/25/07, 10:17 PM

Anonymous said...

No, I guess I "don't heart liberal hypocrisy" but probably wouldn't know if I did cause I'm too dum to know what that means.

at 9/26/07, 12:53 AM

Anonymous said...

yeah, thats what happens when you let liberals run the public education system for 5 decades.

i think america is just above sudan and just below somalia in the whole "quality of public education" thing.

:(

at 9/26/07, 3:54 AM

Anonymous said...

"I take no pleasure in the demonizing of this idiot."

You're kidding...

But you sure get off on continually bashing GW

at 9/26/07, 6:28 AM

Anonymous said...

Gosh! So its the Democrats who got us in the war! Those liberals will go to war at the drop of hat! it all makes sense now!

I noticed that there was no quotes from any Republicans whom actually were in charge of shaping and executing policy, eh?

How is it that you don't mind holding Democrats accountable for their statements and yet the Republicans responsible for statements like "mushroom clouds", "greeted as liberators", "12-18 month occupation", "last throes", "mission accomplished", shouldn't be held accountable?

Who's more to blame, the Senator in 1998 that said Saddam is a bad guy or the Sec of State who went around the country saying we can't wait for a mushroom cloud over American soil to know we were right?

Jim - Keep up the good work. Obviously the "anonymous" idiots take offense to anyone demonizing a fellow idiot...

at 9/26/07, 12:09 PM

Anonymous said...

Ignoring the previous democrat/republican comments... (which is why I hate the 2-party system we're stuck in - b/c we only bicker among party lines and never get anything accomplished).

More importantly... did anyone else notice how whenever Ahmadinejad was asked direct/difficult questions where he knew honest answers would prove he's an idiot and a liar - he just tried to bring up arguments that tear us apart internally... "Don't all Americans hate Bush?"; "Aren't your people tired of their loved ones dieing in Iraq?"; "Don't your people see that there were no WMD and this administration is slaughtering innocent Iraqis?"

The terrorists know that the country is split on these subjects and they just makes us argue among ourselves instead of focusing on the real problem at hand. They are just playing into the knee-jerk reaction of our society. Instead of vehemently attacking Bush and Republicans, maybe we should put that energy into attacking the terrorists and their actions? Ahmadinejad and the terrorists are only using our internal bickering to bring us down (b/c they know they can't do it from outside... so they must do it from within.).

I wish we could go back to the weeks after 9/11, where we were proud to be Americans, regardless of whether you were from Europe, Asia, Africa, whether you were black, white, or hispanic, whether you were Christian, Muslim, or Jew. We were one - and that is when we are strongest.

at 9/26/07, 12:23 PM

Anonymous said...

WE'RE NOT FREE!!
Maybe if the US was an EXAMPLE of democracy we wouldn't have to bomb the rest of the world into believing it; no way they believe anything Bush says, and they shouldn't

Sep 26, 11:21 AM EDT

Gates Seeks $190 Billion for Wars

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AP Photo/KHALID MOHAMMED

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates will ask Congress Wednesday to approve nearly $190 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008, increasing initial projections by more than a third.

In remarks prepared for a Senate hearing, Gates says the extra money is necessary to buy vehicles that can protect troops against roadside bombs, refurbish equipment worn down by combat and consolidate U.S. bases in Iraq. A copy of the remarks was obtained by The Associated Press.

In that prepared testimony, Gates said, "I know that Iraq and other difficult choices America faces in the war on terror will continue to be a source of friction within the Congress, between the Congress and the president and in the wider public debate."

"Considering this, I would like to close with a word about something I know we can all agree on - the honor, courage and great sense of duty we have witnessed in our troops since September 11th," his testimony said.

In February, President Bush requested $141.7 billion for the wars; officials said at the time the figure was only a rough estimate and could climb. In July, the Defense Department asked Congress for another $5.3 billion to buy 1,500 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

Gates says another $42 billion is needed to cover additional requirements. The extra money includes:

- $11 billion to field another 7,000 MRAP vehicles in addition to the 8,000 already planned;

- $9 billion to reconstitute equipment and technology;

- $6 billion for training and equipment of troops;

- $1 billion to improve U.S. facilities in the region and consolidate bases in Iraq; and

- $1 billion to train and equip Iraqi security forces.

The $190 billion total would cover war costs for the 2008 budget year, which begins Monday. Congress was on track this week to pass a stopgap spending bill that would keep the war afloat for several more weeks, giving Democrats time to figure out their next step on the war.

Democrats say they plan to use the spending request as leverage to bring troops home, although they lack a veto-proof majority to do so.

Congress should approve the request as quickly as possible "and without excessive and counterproductive restrictions," Gates will tell the Senate, according to his testimony. Doing so, he added, helps the Pentagon to better manage its resources and avoid shifting money around, which often requires additional cash.

The $42 billion item takes into account Bush's decision to bring home five Army brigades by next summer, Gates said.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

Purchase this AP story for reprint.

at 9/26/07, 12:26 PM

Anonymous said...

maybe if the US got rid of all the SUV's, we wouldn't have to go to war for oil anymore, since there are no weapons of mass destruction and bush can't find bin laden; maybe instead of the US selling weapons of mass destruction to every country in the world, we could sell SUV's; at least the rest of the world would have some place to live in.

at 9/26/07, 12:28 PM

Anonymous said...

Christ-centered Spirit of Non-Violence: No Peace without Justice, No Justice without forgiveness.

at 9/26/07, 12:38 PM

Anonymous said...

We're not free: Bush voted himself into office by rigging the polls, he started the war by himself against the wishes of the world and with no input from the US citizens, especially the ones who didn't vote for him, and now he's stealing billions of dollars from US citiznes; if the 190 billion for 2008 alone goes through, it will cost taxpayers $520,000,000 a day

at 9/26/07, 12:41 PM

Anonymous said...

drugs, alcohol and abortions kill more people in the US than any and all of the terrorists past, present and future ever will; bush is killing more innocent people in iraq than terrorists will ever kill in the world

at 9/26/07, 12:43 PM

Anonymous said...

12:28 pm
Pope John Paul II
hope he's praying for US!

at 9/26/07, 12:46 PM

Anonymous said...

yes, jacob, before the war that bush forced the US and the rest of the world in

at 9/26/07, 12:47 PM

Anonymous said...

the good ole days!

at 9/26/07, 2:10 PM

Anonymous said...

remember in college when they used to say at the beginning of every freshman class, especially engineering physics, look to your left and right, because chances are they won't be here when you graduate; well, the same could be said now about our people fighting in iraq; who needs darfour, when you can have iraq?; and where are the mothers against drunk drivers when you need them? what about mothers against dead soldiers? (Just another excuse to pick on drunks!)

at 9/26/07, 2:24 PM

Anonymous said...

and they criticized Nixon!

at 9/27/07, 12:34 PM

Anonymous said...

Ahmadinejad and Bush will have a lot to catch up on when they both retire to Florida

at 9/27/07, 12:35 PM

Anonymous said...

maybe they can bot live on Cincinnati St. in Panama City and talk about the good ole days!

at 9/28/07, 3:22 PM

Anonymous said...

8:51: I love how not one, not EVEN ONE of those quotes directly suggests invasion, just implications of the usual military action (surgical strikes) that had worked in the past. In 1992 and 1994, Dick Cheney himself went into why an invasion and occupation of Iraq would be a foolish pursuit.

BTW, any quotes before 2000 are meaningless, as quite a bit of proper action had been taken by then.

Previous Posts

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Ahmadinejad

26 Comments: